Xbox 360 gets it's first exclusive MMORPG

Webzen has sent along the official announcement for their new MMORPG, All Points Bulletin, or APB for short. There's not a lot out about the game other than it "offers intense game play in a highly volatile world filled with dramatic car chases, shootouts, busts, escapes and arrests. Players can also enjoy a fully customizable gaming experience without leveling-up constraints, allowing them to choose character appearances, attitudes, music preferences and more." There's going to be a bit of a wait as the game isn't going to be out until 2008.

For the record I know there's a Final Fantasy MMORPG coming out for the Xbox 360 but this is a little cooler in that it's the first exclusive MMORPG for the system.

Groundbreaking Game to Bring First Real-World Based, Massively Multiplayer Experience to Forthcoming Console

SEOUL AND LOS ANGELES - June 28, 2005 - WEBZEN Inc. (NASDAQ: WZEN) announced today that its highly anticipated massively multiplayer freeform combat and driving-based game, All Points Bulletin (APB), is in development for the Xbox 360â„¢ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. APB is being developed by Real Time Worlds Ltd. under the leadership of David Jones, creator of the original Grand Theft Auto franchise. APB will be the first real-world based, massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) for Xbox 360. WEBZEN will publish and operate the game in worldwide markets, with WEBZEN America Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of WEBZEN, launching and operating APB in North America. All Points Bulletin for Xbox 360 will be released in 2008.

"We are thrilled to bring our strengths as a developer and publisher of high-end MMO games for PC users to the Xbox 360 audience," said Nam Ju Kim, CEO, WEBZEN Inc. "We are confident APB will take full advantage of Xbox 360's impressive capabilities and bring fans an unparalleled massively multiplayer experience unlike any other."

â€œWe are very happy to see Webzenâ€™s enthusiasm in creating games such as APB and Huxley for Xbox 360,â€ said John Smith, Group Manager US & Asia 3rd Party Publishing, Microsoft. â€œWEBZEN is one of the key developers, publishers and operators of massively multi-player online games in Asia and their commitment to Xbox 360 will no doubt have a huge market impact on our next-generation console. We look forward to working closely with WEBZEN to fully leverage the online and MMOG policy features of our Xbox 360 platform as they build bigger and better games.â€

A genre-breaking game unlike any other in the MMO space, All Points Bulletin offers intense game play in a highly volatile world filled with dramatic car chases, shootouts, busts, escapes and arrests. Players can also enjoy a fully customizable gaming experience without leveling-up constraints, allowing them to choose character appearances, attitudes, music preferences and more. In addition, many actions throughout the game will result in cash rewards, enabling players to obtain advanced weaponry, vehicles and other items to further enhance their characters.

About WEBZEN

Based in Seoul, Korea, WEBZEN Inc. has become a global leader in the MMOG market, and has developed some of the worldâ€™s top online game and client/server technologies. Already having achieved critical mass in Asian markets with publishing arms in Taiwan, China, Japan, Philippines, and Thailand, WEBZEN Inc. has established WEBZEN America, a wholly owned US subsidiary based in Los Angeles. WEBZEN America leverages WEBZEN technology and partners with some of the most well-known names in the video games industry to deliver some of the most compelling, visually stunning graphics available in persistent world games. WEBZEN and WEBZEN America are poised to launch a diverse portfolio of online products and services, beginning with the highly anticipated fantasy MMORPG SUN, the Unreal 3.0 engine-based MMOFPS HUXLEY, and the original action MMOG All Points Bulletin (APB).

For more information about WEBZEN products and services, go to www.webzengames.com.

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